#BreatHere

A LOCAL SOLUTION
TO A GLOBAL PROBLEM.

As part of the Code Life Ventilator Challenge, an ambitious 2-week challenge that involved designing, assembling, testing and validating a concept with medical stakeholders, a pressure-controlled patient triggered ventilator was successfully completed by a team from Sherbrooke.

This multidisciplinary team of mechanical and electrical design specialists, clinical nurses, respiratory therapists, physicians and engineering students worked hard to assemble a ventilator that was successfully tested at the Centre de recherche et de formation par simulation of the Cégep de Sherbrooke last weekend by various medical stakeholders on an artificial lung.

 Several institutions and businesses in the region participated in the project by providing free equipment, tools, premises or their expertise to achieve this feat in just 8 days: Bishop’s University, Université de Sherbrooke, Cégep de Sherbrooke, ÉlectroMag, RS Conception, Arjo, Énergie Solutions Air and Orixha.

This ventilator stands out from most prototypes by using robust technologies available for rapid large-scale production. In addition, it works directly with the air and oxygen lines available in hospitals and other health centers. Another major distinction is that the equipment integrates most of the parameters and adjustments found on certified ventilators, including the ability to ventilate according to the patient’s needs by detecting when the patient is trying to take an inspiration.

The ventilator is very easy to use and meets the clinical needs related to COVID-19. The team is in the process of having the device certified.